NEW YORK, NY.- Arezoo Moseni, Senior Librarian at The New York Public Library’s Mid-Manhattan Branch, thinks of herself as just one of many of her contemporaries looking to make a difference in the lives of those visiting libraries across America, but according to 3,200 library users nationwide, Arezoo is in an elite class all her own.She has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award, one of only 10 librarians to receive the honor nationwide.As part of the award, Arezoo received a plaque and will receive a check for $5,000.

“This award is very much in support of libraries and a great honor for our profession,” said Arezoo. “It is a testament to our responsibility of providing the best service in our libraries and building a community for library users. Public librarians have the power to change, redirect and transform people's lives.”

The Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support the new Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award.Administered by the ALA’s Public Information Office and Campaign for America’s Libraries, the award will continue annually through 2013. The award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community.

“We are proud of Arezoo for being recognized with the first-ever I Love My Librarian Award and thankful to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The New York Times Company, the American Library Association, and our wonderful patrons for making sure the work of librarians throughout America does not go unnoticed,” said Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library.

Arezoo is an artist and librarian. Born in Iran, she obtained a BFA at Utah State University, a MA and MFA at the University of New Mexico, and an MLS at Pratt Institute. She has worked at the Art Collection of Mid-Manhattan Library since November 1999. Prior to joining NYPL, she managed fundraising campaigns at Lincoln Center, and taught art classes and workshops at the International Center of Photography, Northern Virginia College, and the University of New Mexico. Since joining The New York Public Library, Arezoo has made a difference in the lives of its users, initiating the “Art in the Windows” and “Art Wall on Third” exhibition series, which feature the work of well-known and emerging artists, many of which had sought Arezoo’s help in their art research.

“New York City is a Mecca for artists, and Arezoo’s programs have made the NYPL a place for artists to grow professionally, and exhibit work that the public might never see otherwise.She provides information to the public about art in a highly accessible way,” said Darcy Spitz, just one of many patrons who nominated Arezoo for the I Love My Librarian Award.

Stephen Spretnjak, who met Arezoo six years ago while conducting a research project investigating poetic texts written by visual artists said he was impressed by the librarian’s work with its users.“I spend a great deal of time in the library so I have witnessed Arezoo assisting patrons,” he said.“She gives every patron her immediate attention, looks up their subject on the desk computer, asks clear questions, encourages, and directs to cross-subjects of interest.Her attention familiarizes the patron with the resources and educates how to navigate through and best use the system to their advantage.”

Arezoo has also initiated several lecture series, including the Artist Career Development Lectures, designed to address the growing needs of independent artists. She teaches information literacy and computer classes, is involved with outreach to local schools, and gives orientations to the Art Collection for students at all levels. She is the Collection’s liaison for the Cataloging Department, in addition to collection development responsibilities, and is also the creator and maintainer of the Photography and the Video Art sections of NYPL’s Best of the Web, a graduate of 2006 NYPL Leadership Academy and a member of the Team Building Committee.

“Knowledge is the basis for all human evolution and the foundation for libraries as they are considered to be the repository for human memory,” Arezoo said. “It is equally critical for us to be imaginative and to welcome the impossible especially at a time when the people in this city need their public libraries the most. I am deeply touched by the fact that 16 of these patrons took the time to express their strong support for the work I do at the Art Collection.”